We performed a multi-institutional retrospective analysis of the morphologic features, immunophenotype, cytogenetics, and BCR-ABL transcript characterization of cases of Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute myeloid leukemia (Ph+ AML). We compared these cases with cases of documented chronic myelogenous leukemia in myeloid blast crisis (CML-MBC). Patients with Ph+ AML were less likely to have splenomegaly or peripheral basophilia and had lower bone marrow cellularity and myeloid/erythroid ratios than patients with CML-MBC. Additional specific cytogenetic abnormalities that typically occur in CML-MBC were less common in Ph+ AML. Of 7 patients with Ph+ AML treated with imatinib mesylate, 6 showed at least a partial hematologic response, but the responses were of a short duration (median, 2.5 months). The median survival of patients with Ph+ AML was 9 months, similar to that of patients with CML-MBC (7 months). Ph+ AML is a rare aggressive acute leukemia with some features distinct from CML-MBC.

The article presents a case study of a 69-year-old man who have undergone bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in November 1991 from HLA-B-Ag mismatched sister for first chronic phase Ph-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). He obtained cytogenetic remission until a relapse happened in July...

The article offers news briefs related medical studies. It reports on a research regarding a new biomarker accurate in detecting proteins secreted from tumors caused by asbestos exposure. A study revealed that proportion of second cancers associated with radiotherapy treatment for a first cancer...

Background: Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is caused by the abnormal fusion protein BCR-ABL1, a constitutively active tyrosine kinase and product of the Philadelphia chromosome. Gleevec (Imatinib mesylate) is a selective inhibitor of this kinase. Treatment with this agent is known to result in...

Introduction: The Philadelphia chromosome, a genetic abnormality involving reciprocal transfer of ABL genes at chromosome 9q31-34 with BCR region at chromosome 22q has been recognized since the 1960's. The introduction of imatinib mesylate (Glivec) which inhibits the over expressed tyrosine...

Dasatinib, a potent inhibitor of BCR-ABL in vitro, is effective for patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) resistant or intolerant to imatinib. To provide a more definitive assessment of dasatinib in chronic-phase (CP)-CML, we report extended follow-up of a phase II trial, presenting...

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with minimal differentiation was usually referred to as acute undifferentiated leukemia in the past. With the help of immunophenotyping, this subtype of leukemia was shown to express myeloid antigens on the blasts and was designated AML-M0 by FAB Cooperative Study...

The article discusses the potential use of immunotherapy for myeloid leukemias. A brief background on chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is presented. Particular focus is given to clinical trials which evaluated peptide-based vaccines in CML. A study of the...